EDWARDSVILLE – Southern Illinois University Edwardsville will hold a memorial service honoring pianist Ruth Slenczynska Kerr at 3 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026, in the Dunham Hall Theater at Katherine Dunham Hall, 50 Hairpin Drive, Edwardsville, Illinois.
The service will feature recorded performances, interview excerpts and photos of Slenczynska Kerr, along with comments from speakers including Leonard Slatkin, former St. Louis and Detroit Symphony Orchestra conductor laureate and current music director of the Nashville Symphony, and former Chancellor Randy Pembrook, Ph.D.
Ruth Slenczynska, died on Wednesday, April 22, 2026. She was 101. Slenczynska was the last surviving pupil of composer-pianist Sergei Rachmaninoff.
Slenczynska accepted a full-time position as Artist-in-Residence. In 1967 Slenczynska married James Kerr, PhD, an SIUE professor of political science.
She retained the title of Artist-in-Residence until 1987 and continued teaching SIUE piano students part-time until 2001. Her presence at SIUE spanned multiple generations of students, faculty, and institutional change, making her one of the most enduring figures in the university’s musical history.
The event also will include performances by former Slenczynska students and reflections, stories and readings by colleagues, family members, pupils and friends, according to SIUE.
Dr. Marc Schapman, Chair of the SIUE Department of Music had these quotes about Ruth’s impact at the school:
“During her time at SIUE, Ruth Slenczynska inspired generations of students and colleagues through her artistry and dedication to musical excellence. Her presence profoundly enriched our department, and her influence will continue to shape the lives and careers of those she mentored for years to come.”
The memorial service is free and open to the public. A reception will follow immediately in the Katherine Dunham Hall lobby.
SIUE also said donations can be made through the Ruth Slenczynska Scholarship information page.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville said it provides students with a high-quality education aimed at transforming lives and creating social and economic mobility. The university, located on 2,660 acres overlooking the Mississippi River bottomland and a short drive from downtown St. Louis, said its academic preparation is built on a broad-based liberal education and enhanced by hands-on research and real-world experiences.
To donate, visit the Ruth Slenczynska Scholarship information page.
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville provides students with a high-quality education that powerfully transforms the lives of all individuals who seek something greater. A premier metropolitan university, SIUE is creating social and economic mobility for individuals while also powering the workforce of the future. Built on the foundation of a broad-based liberal education, and enhanced by hands-on research and real-world experiences, the academic preparation SIUE students receive equips them to thrive in the global marketplace and make our communities better places to live. Home to a diverse student body, SIUE is situated on 2,660 acres of beautiful woodland atop the bluffs overlooking the natural beauty of the Mississippi River’s rich bottomland and only a short drive from downtown St. Louis.?
